The job scenario in cities for migrant workers is far less bleak than originally forecast, the government said yesterday, citing an extensive nationwide survey.

About 11 million are now looking for jobs in cities, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said. That is less than half of the 23 million the NBS itself said late last year would need jobs after the global financial crisis started to take its toll on many export-oriented enterprises in coastal regions.

The bureau released its findings after conducting a survey of 68,000 rural families in 31 provinces during the festival.